International Journal Geology and Mining IJGM

Vol. 3(2), pp. 110-127, September, 2017. www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: XXXX-XXXX

Research Article

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of

Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin,
Nigeria.
1Uzoegbu MU* and2 Okon OS
1Department of Geology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
2Department of Geology, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

The Cretaceous sediments in the Anambra Basin (SE Nigeria) consist of a cyclic succession of
coals, carbonaceous shales, silty shales, siltstones and sandstones interpreted as deltaic
deposits. Statistics reveals a graphic mean range from 1.5 to 2.8, sorting range from 0.45 to 1.58,
skewness range from -0.58 to 0.32 and kurtosis between 0.38 and 2 for the Ajali Sandstone. From
these results, the sandstones in the area are dominated by medium to coarse grains, poorly to
moderately sorted, coarse skewed and very platykurtic sediments. Further sedimentological
evaluation in six localities indicates fluvial-flood plain-marginally marine facies for the Mamu and
Nsukka Formations and marine for the Nkporo and Enugu Shales. The geochemical evaluations
show that total organic carbon (TOC) (8.95wt%) of the samples constitutes that of good to
excellent source rock with oil, oil/gas, gas prones for kerogen types I, II/III, III indicated by Rock-
Eval S2/S3 (9.13). The high oxygen index (OI) (42.61 mgCO 2g-1TOC) suggest deposition in a shallow
marine environment. The Tmax (430oC), indicate the immaturity to onset of maturity of these source
rocks. Potential reservoir units occur in the fluvial sandstones of the Ajali Formation and in the
marginal marine and flood plain sandstones of the Mamu Formation. The shales and claystones
of the Nsukka and Imo Formations may provide regional seals.

Key words: Sedimentology, Geochemistry, Kerogen, Petroleum system, Depositional environment, Cretaceous,
Anambra Basin.

INTRODUCTION

The Anambra Basin became the site of major deposition
following the Santonian folding in southeastern Nigeria
(Fig. 1). Compressional uplift of the Lower Benue Trough
succession (Albian to Coniacian) along a NE-SW axis was
accompanied by tectonic inversion and downwarping of
the Anambra platform. Estimates of total sediment
thickness in the Anambra Basin from gravity
measurements range from 1000-4500m (Ladipo et al.,
1992), out of which between 3000 and 3500m were
deposited during the late Cretaceous (Upper Campanian
to Maastrichtian). Traditionally coal petrographic studies
are mainly used for determining coal quality, coking
properties and composition, paleodepositional
environment, or coal ranking (Taylor et al., 1998). Recently
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
multi-analytical approach to coal petrography analysis
uses SEM-EDS, microprobe, Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis,
solvent extract, and gas chromatography - Mass
Spectrometry (GC MS) (i.e biomarkers), hydrous
pyrolysis (e.g Fowler et al., 1991; Taylor et al., 1998;
Petersen, 2002; Walker and Mastalerz, 2004) were
reviewed.
*Corresponding author: Uzoegbu M Uche. Department
of Geology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Email:
mu.uzoegbu@mouau.edu.ng GSM: 08030715958; Co-
Author Email: otobong.okon@fuoye.edu.ng
Uzoegbu and Okon 111

Fig. 1: Generalised geological map of the SE Nigeria (boxed areas of inset) showing the location of the coal deposits. Numbers
indicate Cretaceous and Tertiary formations shown as follows 1. Asu River Group; 2. Odikpani Formation; 3. Eze-Aku Shale; 4.
Awgu Shale; 5. Enugu/Nkporo Shale; 6. Mamu Formation; 7. Ajali Sandstone; 8. Nsukka Formation; 9. Imo Shale; 10. Ameki
Formation and 11. Ogwashi-Asaba Formation (modified from Akande et al., 2007)

According to Nwajide (2005) sedimentation in the
Anambra Basin was dominantly terrigenous resulting in up
to 3000m thick shale (60%), sands (40%) and limestone
(<1%). Onuoha (2005) identified three hydrostratigraphic
units in the Anambra Basin that includes;
1. Quaternary deposits and sandy horizons of the Ameki
Formation
2. The Ajali Sandstone, the sandy horizon of the
overlying Nsukka Formation, and the
3. Sandy beds in the Awgu, Nkporo and the lower Mamu
Formations.
The first hydrostratigraphic unit is very shallow
(approximately not more than 500m deep) to form viable
reservoir.
Ladipo et al. (1992) and Nwajide (2005) inferred that the
Mamu and Nsukka Formations are probably delta front
sand bars. Ajali Sandstone on the other hand was
attributed to fluvial deposition (Agagu, 1985) characterized
by large channels containing lithic fill of fining upward
pebbly sandstones (Nwajide, 2005). It is also related to the
development of shallow marine subtidal sand bars
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
(Ladipo, 1985; Ladipo et al., 1992). These potential
reservoir sands are mostly laterally extensive and may
reach local thickness of up to 5015ft (>1000m) where
stacked. This paper deals in delineation and
characterization of sedimentology and biomarker
geochemistry evaluation of the basin.
GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
The infilling of the Anambra and Afikpo basins started
during the early Campanian to the early Paleocene
(Danian) under two major eustatic cycles; the more
pronounced Nkporo transgression and the less active
Nsukka transgression with the Anambra basin showing the
most complete stratigraphic sections (Fig. 2). These
cycles are also found in the Afikpo syncline SE of the
Abakaliki anticlinorium and the Dahomey embayment,
west of the Ilesha basement spur, although both are
incomplete (Murat, 1972).
The first cycle which took place during the Lower
Campanian to the Maastrichian started with the deposition
of the Nkporo shale whose lateral (age) equivalents are
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 112

REMARKS
SEDIMENTARY LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION DEPOSITIONAL Coal ANKPA ONITSHA
AGE
SEQUENCE ENVIRONMENT Rank SUB- SUB-
BASIN BASIN
Lignites, peats,
MIOCENE OGWASHI- Estuarine
Intercalations of
(off shore bars;
Liginites REGRESSION
ASABA FM.

ON
OLIGOCENE Sandstones &
shales Intertidal flats)

ITI
OS
Unconformity

EP
AMEKE NANKA Clays,shales, Subtidal, intertidal
EOCENE (Continued

D
Sandstones flats, shallow marine
FM. SAND Transgression

NO
& beds of grits
Due to geoidal
IMO SHALE . . . . . .. . Clays, shales Sea level rise)
.. . . . & siltstones
Marine
PALEOCENE (? MINOR
Clays, shales, thin REGRESSION
? Estuarine Sub-
NSUKKA FM. sandstones & coal bituminous
seams
N
IA

Coarse sandstones,
HT

Lenticular shales, Subtidal, shallow

AJALI SST.
IC

beds of grits & marine

TR

Pebbls.
AS

Clays, shales, Estuarine/ off-shore TRANSGRESSION

Sub-
MA

carbonaceous bars/ tidal flats/ (Geoidal sea level

MAMU FM. bituminous
Rise plus crustal
shale, sandy shale chernier ridges
& coal seams Movement)
3rd Marine
ENUGU/ cycle
CAMPANIAN NKPORO SHALE Clays & shales Marine
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Unconfor mity
CONIACIAN- AWGU SHALE 2nd Marine
SANTONIAN Clays &
cycle
EZEAKU SHALE
shales Marine
TURONIAN
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Unconfor mity
CENOMANIAN 1st Marine
ODUKPANI FM.
cycle
ALBIAN ASU RIVER GP.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Unconfor mity
L. PALEOZOIC B A S E M E N T C O M P L E X
Fig. 2: The Stratigraphy of the Anambra Basin Southeastern Nigeria (After, Ladipo, 1988 and Akande et al., 1992;
Modified in Uzoegbu et al., 2013b).

the Enugu shale and Owelli sandstone (Fig. 2). This is the
basal unit of the Campano-Maastrichian transgression and
comprises of dark mudstone, gray, fissile friable shales
with thin beds of marl, sandy shale and limestone overlying
an angular unconformity (Reyment, 1965). The regressive
phase was marked with the development of a large offlap
complex, starting with the paralic sequence of the Mamu
formation (Lower coal measure) overlying the Nkporo
shale (Reyment, 1965). It is thought to be lower
Maastrichian in age with a basal part that contains thin
marine intercalations, while the coal bearing part consist of
fresh water and low salinity sandstones, shale, mudstone
and sandy shales with coal seams occurring at several
levels (Simpson, 1955).
The Mamu formation is overlain by the continental
sequence of the Ajali sandstone. This sandstone unit has
received several names such as false bedded sandstone
(Tattam, 1944), basal sandstone (Simpson, 1955) etc. iIts
present name was given by Reyment (1965) after
establishing its type locality at the Ajali river. Virtually all
exposures of the formation are characterized by a lateritic
profile at the top. It was deposited during the regressive
phase of the Campano-Maastrichian transgression and is
age Maastrichian.
The Ajali sandstone is overlain conformably by the Nsukka
Formation (Upper coal measures), and it consists of
alternating succession of gray sandy shales, sandstones,
plant bearing beds and thin beds of coal (Reyment, 1965).
Thin bands of marine limestone heralded the return of
marine sedimentation at the top of the formation. These
dark shales and the intensely bioturbated sandstones are
well exposed at Ihube, along the Enugu Port Harcourt
expressway. The age range of the formation is late
Maastrichian to Danian based on the fossil record. This
formation bears the K/T boundary which is described by
Reyment (1965) as a period of transition in Nigeria. Mbuk
et al. (1985) identified this boundary in the Nsukka
Formation in Ozu Abam area of Abia State.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Intensive field study covered a total of five localities from
where samples were taken. Eleven representative
sandstone samples were retrieved from the field survey
along road cut at Milliken Hills at approximately 100m apart
from each location.
In the laboratory, the samples were later disaggregated
and dried for at least 24 hours in an oven at 600 C to
remove the moisture before analysis. Afterwards, sieve
analysis was carried out for each of the samples. Lumped
samples were disintegrated so that the sieve analysis
result can be authentic. Sieving technique is applied to
separating the grains of various size-classes, as proposed
by (Ingram, 1971). British Standards were employed with

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.

Uzoegbu and Okon 113
a sieve set in the order of mesh sizes: 2 mm, 1mm, 500
m, 250 m, 150 m and 75 m respectively. The sieves
were arranged in such a way that the one with the highest
opening was placed at the top while the one with the
smallest opening was placed at the bottom with the base
pan at the base. The dried samples were placed at the top
sieve, covered up and placed on a mechanical shaker. The
amplifier was used to operate the shaker at a medium
frequency. The sieve analysis was carried for about five
minutes while checking at intervals. After the sieve
analyses have been completed, the sediment in each
sieve was weighed and recorded. These procedures were
carried out for each of the eleven samples.
Thin sections of representative samples of sandstones
were prepared for petrographic studies of the minerals and
textures of the grains using a polarizing microscope. Both
friable and consolidated samples were used. The friable
sandstone samples were initially impregnated prior to
cutting. The impregnation helped to harden the samples.
The highly consolidated samples were thoroughly washed
with water. The samples were each mounted with polished
slide on a glass slide using Canada balsam. The mounted
sample was again ground on a lap wheel with a coarse
abrasive and was later washed with water. These was
followed by manual grinding with sludge of fine abrasive
on a glass plate until the slide was fine or thin enough for
individual mineral identification. The slide was then
thoroughly washed with water and was allowed to dry
before covering with a cover slip. A total of eleven
representative samples of sandstones were cut into thin
sections. The prepared slides were viewed under plane
polarized light (PPL) and cross polarized light (CPL) using
a petrological microscope to obtain information on the
lithology, fabric, texture and mineralogy. The stage of the
microscope was rotated continuously to attain different
views of the slides. The petrographic studies enabled the
identification of various mineral contents as
photomicrograph of each slide were taken under plane
polarized light and crossed nicols to ascertain their
compositional features.
For geochemical analyses, a total of four bulk shale
samples (about 30-50 g) were used. The samples were
washed using water/organic solvent to remove the dirty
and sands on them. The washed samples were kept in the
oven for 24 hours to dry at temperature of 40C. The dried
samples were crushed by mortar and pestle. After that,
each of these crushed samples was divided into two equal
parts. Half of the crushed samples in each case was
packaged in a plastic bag and the remaining half was
pulverized by vibratory disc mill Model RS 100 to <50m
size.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The sedimentological characteristics of the Anambra
Basin fill are based on field descriptions of lithofacies at
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
outcrop sections comprising road-cuts, mining pits and
stream valleys at six localities in the northwestern and
southeastern portion of the basin, namely Lokpauku/Leru,
Onyeama, Okpara, Milikin Hills, Okaba and Ezimo (Fig. 1).
The Campano-Maastrichtian Enugu Shale with an
approximate thickness of 150 m has its type section
exposed at Imilike Agu. Simpson (1954) and Reyment
(1965) described the Enugu Shale from its area in Asata
and Obweeti stream valley within Enugu area. The Enugu
Shale which underlies the plain east of the Enugu
escarpment in the mapped area covers about 40% of the
area. It consists of predominantly soft, dark grey blue
carbonaceous shales and sandy shale which alternate
with siltstones and occasional bands of mudstones
intercalation.
In the study area, the lithologic unit of the Enugu Shale can
be subdivided into three main subunits as (a) Sandy shale,
(b) Grey shale and (c) Carbonaceous shale. An exposure
of this subunit is recognized along the channel of the Ekulu
River bank and Leru in Lokpauku. It comprises of dark soft
carbonaceous shales which are thinly laminated (Fig. 3).
The shales are dark blue with nodular concretions and
potholes at the base with intercalation of clay which
alternate with siltstone (Akhirevbulu and Ogunbajo, 2011).
At the top it is weathered to ferruginized sandstone. Along
Opi new road which is about 3km outside the studied
area,a good exposure of this subunit was recognized.
The type sections of this subunit in the study area were
recognized along the channels of Ofianzu and Isiogene-
Onu streams at Mbu and at Eha-ndiagu along the channels
of Omeme and Iyi-akwa streams. The grey shales
alternate with mudstones and fine sandstones. The grey
shale is commonly found overlying the carbonaceous
shale in most of the outcrops studied, and also has nodular
concretions. This shale gradually graded into sandy shale
upwards and in some places it is weathered to reddish
brown coarse sandstone or ferruginized sandstone and
the top of which is capped with laterites.
The grey shales are characteristically fissile and split into
thin flexible flakes of various sizes. The colours of dark
carbonaceous shale and grey shale are due to the quantity
of organic matter or oxidation state of iron in the rock
(Pettijohn, 1975; Ojo and Akande, 2009, Valkarelo and
Bhattacharya, 2009; Uchebo, 2010; Obaje et al., 2011;
Omali et al., 2011; Uzoegbu et al., 2013a). In thin section,
the carbonaceous Enugu/Nkporo shales are a mixture of
silt-size quartz and clay minerals which appear to be
floating in dense mudstone matrix (Plate). Quartz grains
are more abundant than clay minerals and shales are
generally silty. The fine quartz crystals are sub-angular to
subrounded and scattered within the clay matrix. Dark
minerals which are colourless under crossed polar are
present and carbonaceous matter mainly plant fragments
are observed.
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 114

Table 1: Lithostratigraphic succession established in the studied area (modified from De Swardt and Casey, 1963).
Age Formation Member Thickness (m) Descriptions
Maastrichtian Ajali Ajali Medium to coarse grained, poorly consolidated, friable with whitish
Sandstone Sandstone 10 mudstone bands at various horizons. The sandstone is typically
cross-bedded.
5 Medium to fine grained, Friable white sandstone.

Alternation of grey shales, and sandy shale which are thinly

laminated and occasionally carbonaceous shale with coal seams
Maastrichtian Mamu Mamu 2 at various horizons in rhythemic manner.
Soft dark grey to bluish carbonaceous shales. Nodular concretions
Campano - Enugu 1.5 are present in these shales and the shales are thinly laminated
Maastrichtian Shale Enugu with mudstones.

The occurrence of plant remains, concretions, shale casts,

varve structures, thin lamination and freshwater
associated with these subunits of the Enugu/Nkporo
Shales suggests deposition under shallow marine
conditions. The gradation from carbonaceous shale to fine
and siltstone also suggests open or shallow marine
environment.Mamu Formation is subdivided into lower and
upper members due to the characteristics of the sediments
(Lower Mamu Member). The lower Mamu covers about
30% of the studied area and three subunits of this
formation are recognized; Carbonaceous shale, Grey
shale and Sandy shale (Fig. 4).
AGE FORMATION THICKNESS LITHOLOGIC SECTION DESCRIPTION
(Meters)

Overburden
12.00
Reddish ironstone capping
11.60

Ferruginized thinly
Laminated sandstone
MAASTRICHTIAN

7.60
Grey mudstone
MAMU

Fig. 3: Lithologic profile of the Enugu/Nkporo Shales. 6.40

Massively bedded fine
Grained sandstone
The sandy shale forms the upper part of the grey shale in 5.20
the study area and consists of alternating thinly laminated Yellowish-brown massively
Bedded siltstone
shales, very fine sandstones which are whitish to brownish
in colour with thin bands of clay intercalations (Plate). The 3.40
top of this sandy shale is weathered to reddish brown and
Parallel laminated dark
is capped with laterites. Varve structures are common to Grey shale
the sandy shales. Well exposures of this subunit are
recognized along the new road cut at Mbu, Ogboduaba 0.50 Coal bed with dull lustre
and along the channel of Ofianzu stream. The sandy shale
contains plant debris and bioturbation structures in some
places. Microscopic studies show that sandstone consists Fig. 4: Lithologic profile of the Mamu Formation.
of subangular to subrounded quartz floating in the matrix
(Plate). The grains are equant to subequant. The modal This subunit has well outcrops at the sources of Igbogbo
analysis of the framework elements shows; Quartz (85%), stream, Iyi-Agu Orba and along channel Iyi-Vava at
Matrix (10%) and Opaque (5%). The quartz grains contain Anyazulu Umabor. The shale is dark thinly laminated with
monocrystalline quartz (95%) and polycrystalline quartz occasional thin bands of clay intercalations towards the
(5%). The sandstone is quartz arenite (Pettijohn et al., upper part (Akhirevbulu and Ogunbajo, 2011). Each
1972; Ojo and Akande, 2009, Valkarelo and Bhattacharya, lamination is about 2cm. Varve structures and concretions
2009; Uchebo, 2010; Obaje et al., 2011; Omali et al., 2011; are found in some of places. The shale is commonly found
Uzoegbu et al., 2013a). in very deep valley of the streams at the lower slope of
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
Uzoegbu and Okon 115

Table 2: Seive analysis for white sandstone of Mamu Formation.

Phi () Wt. Retained on Seive Corrected wt. Cumulative wt. Cumulative wt. % Weight (%)
0.0-5.0 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.1 1.1
0.5-1.0 2.4 2.4 3.0 5.6 4.5
1.0-1.5 3.2 3.2 6.2 11.5 5.3
1.5-2.0 2.9 2.9 9.1 16.8 5.9
2.0-2.5 4.0 4.0 13.2 24.2 7.4
2.5-3.0 8.3 8.4 21.6 39.7 15.5
3.0-3.5 19.8 20.1 41.7 76.7 37.0
3.5-4.0 12.5 12.7 154.3 100.0 23.3
Seive loss 0.7
Total wt. 53.7

Enugu escarpment. In some places this subunit delineates abundance of carbonaceous shale in the study area and
the contact between the Enugu Shale and lower Mamu coal seams in the Mamu Formation suggests non-marine
Formation.The grey shale consists of thinly laminated dark or swamp deposits.
grey shale alternating with mudstone, and fine sandstone
and gradually graded into sandy shale at upper part. The
grey sandy shale is highly fissible and contains plant
impressions and bioturbation structures. The sandy shale
50
at the upper part of the grey shale alternates with fine
sandstone and siltstone and occasionally poorly laminated
in some places. The sandy shale is highly weathered to 40 Mode 4.0-4.5
Weight (%)
reddish brown and the sandstone is ferruginized. The
upper part is commonly capped with laterites. In the
30
studied area the grey sandy shale has excellent exposures
at Omeme stream and Ugene stream (Upper Mamu
Member). The upper Mamu Formation covers about 10% 20
of the studied area and is made of only one unit. In the
studied area this unit is not well exposed but it has an
10
excellent outcrop along Opi road cut. In this unit the main
rock type is whitish to grey sandstone. The sandstone is
very fine grained, friable and thinly laminated with thin 0
bands of mudstone intercalation. Each lamination is about -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Phi ()
1cm thick. Towards the base the lamination increases in
thickness for about 3cm and the sandstones became Fig. 5: Histogram plot for white sandstone of Mamu
coarser. These grades upwards to medium and fine Formation.
grained. This shows fining upward sequence (Ojo and
Akande, 2009, Valkarelo and Bhattacharya, 2009; The regressive phase in the second sedimentary fill up of
Uchebo, 2010; Obaje et al., 2011; Omali et al., 2011; Anambra Basin is marked by the development of paralic
Uzoegbu et al., 2013a). This unit is highly burrowed and sequence of Mamu Formation which is overlain by
bioturbation structures which are evidence of ichnofossils continental sequence of the Ajali Sandstones (Reyment,
were found. 1965; Murat, 1970).
The Nsukka Formation (Upper Coal Measures)
In general, the coal-bearing sections in these locations conformably overlies the Ajali Sandstone Formation and
consist of cyclic successions of coal, carbonaceous occurs from the north of Awka to the upper Ankpa sub-
shales, heteroliths (sandy shales and shaly sandstones), basin. The lithology is mainly interbedded shales,
siltstones and bioturbated sandstones. The cyclothems siltstones, sands and thin coal seams (Fig. 6), which have
are well exposed at the Onyeama section, and are become lateritized in many places where they
interpreted as deposits typical of a deltaic setting (Akande characteristically form resistant capping on mesas and
et al., 2007). At Onyeama, the exposed succession shows buttes.
a basal coal seam (Fig. 5) 1.2m thick, overlain by
carbonaceous and parallel-laminated grey shale. This is The formation is diachronous, spanning upper
overlain by a heterolithic unit of grey shale with sandstone Maastrichtian into Danian. Depositional environment has
streaks, which grades upward into fine-grained been suggested to be similar in many ways to the Mamu
sandstones. Sieve analysis of the sandstone shows that it Formation (Lower Coal Measures) i.e
is negatively skewed; leptokurtic in grain size distribution transitional/shoreline, mud flat and swamps, deposited
and with mean size between 2.50-3.40 (Table 2) and the during a largely regressive phase. The result of sieve
histogram plot show a unimodal distribution (Fig. 5). The analysis for Nsukka Formation is found in Table 3.
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 116

Table 3: Sieve analysis for Nsukka Formation.

Phi () Wt. Retained on Seive Corrected wt. Cumulative wt. Cumulative wt. % Weight (%)
2.0
-2.0-1.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.0
-1.5-1.0 0.5 0.5 1.1 2.0 1.0
-1.0-0.5 2.2 2.2 3.3 5.9 3.9
-0.5-0.0 3.8 3.8 7.1 12.8 6.9
0.0-0.5 6.4 6.5 13.6 24.4 11.6
0.5-1.0 9.8 9.9 23.5 42.1 17.7
1.0-1.5 14.2 14.3 37.7 67.6 25.5
1.5-2.0 8.8 8.9 46.6 83.6 15.9
2.0-2.5 4.7 4.7 51.3 92.0 8.4
2.5-3.0 1.9 1.9 53.2 95.3 3.4
3.0-3.5 1.2 1.2 54.4 97.4 2.1
3.5-4.0 1.7 0.7 55.1 98.7 1.3
4.0-4.5 0.7 0.7 55.8 100.0 1.3
4.5

and pebbly gravel (Ladipo et al., 1992). This upper section

is considered to be part of the Nsukka Formation. The
30
abrupt contact between the Nsukka and the Ajali
Formations in the section is drawn at the top of thin
25 lenticular shales, beds of grit and pebbly gravel at 50 m
Mode 1.5-2.0 because the Nsukka Formation does not contain beds of
grit and pebbly gravel (Fig. 3). The Awgu section is
20 composed of coarse pebbly blackish sand (Offodile, 2002)
Weight (%)

and at Ezimo it composed of shale, lateritic sand and thin

coal seams (Uzoegbu, 2010) and is part of Nsukka
15
Formation. The Nsukka Formation is different from the
overlying Imo Shale which consists of intercalations of
10 bluish to greyish clays and deep bluish marine shales
(Ladipo et al., 1992; Offodile, 2002). It occurs, as highlands
at Ebenebe and Ugwuoba in Enugu and Anambra States
5 (Ladipo et al., 1992). With some similarity and comprising
views about the Mamu and Nsukka Formations a
lectostratotype was proposed to provide a standard for the
0 definition and recognition of the Nsukka Formation
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 (Uzoegbu et al., 2013).
Phi ()
Fig. 6: Histogram plot for Nsukka Formation.
The lectostratotype does not include upper and lower
boundaries of the formation which are however, well
The type section described above is similar in lithology to
illustrated by Federal Department of Water Resources,
upper part of the 50 m thick sequence described for the
Enugu and Unomah and Ekweozor (1993) in Fig. 7.
Nsukka Formation at Oji River by Offodile (2002). The
Akpugo Eze section has thicker shale beds. The lower part
Simpson (1954), Reyment (1965), Adeleye (1975)
of the section is comprised of shales, sandy clay, medium
described the Ajali Sandstone from its type areas along
to coarse blackish sands and brownish red sandy clay,
Ajali river and Nkpologu in Nsukka area. It occupies about
blackish shales, medium to coarse brownish sands and
15% of the studied area and is found on the western
lateritic sand at the top. This part of the sequence (50 m)
margin of the area. This is the youngest formation and it
is considered in this study to be a part of the Ajali
overlies the Mamu Formation. It has well exposed
Formation which underlies the Nsukka Formation. Sieve
outcrops at Milikin Hills in the study area and along Opi
analysis of the sandstone shows that it is negatively
road cut. At Milikin Hills this outcrop has a well developed
skewed; leptokurtic in grain size distribution and with mean
fascinating cave system. The sandstone is
size between 2.50-3.40 (Table 3) and the histogram plot
characteristically friable poorly consolidated, white to
show a bimodal distribution (Fig. 6).
pinkish colour, iron stained with thin bands of white
mudstones. At Milikin Hills the sandstone is typically cross-
The upper part of the Ajali Formation is composed of
bedded on small scale (Fig. 8). The grains grade from
coarse sandstones with thin lenticular shales, beds of grit
medium to fine grain upwards and the beddings are
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
Uzoegbu and Okon 117

AGE FORMATION THICKNESS LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

(m)
Overburden
9.50
Greyish siltstone
Medium coarse brownish sand
Brownish red sandy clay

Blackish shales
50
Coarse pebbly blackish sand

Hard blackish shales

MAASTRICHTI AN

Brownish white sand

Siltstones
Greyish black coal
100 Sand blackish coarse grained
NSUKKA

214 Shale blackish

Sand coarse
Shale blackish, organic soft
Sandy clay, greenish siltstone
Sand medium coarse blackish

150 Shales, soft blackish grey

Sand medium coarse blackish

Sand, blackish, medium coarse

Greyish black coal

Shales, soft blackish grey

200 Sand, blackish, medium coarse
Shales, soft blackish grey
Sand, blackish, medium coarse
Shales, soft blackish grey
214 Sand, blackish, medium coarse

Fig. 7: Lithologic profile of Nsukka Formation.

massive at the base and became thinly laminated
upwards.
Sieve analysis of the sandstone shows that it is well sorted
and skewness is positive and ranges from nearly
symmetrical to leptokurtic grain size distribution (Table 3).
Histogram plots show bimodal distribution between 1.0-
1.50 (Fig. 9). The mechanical analysis of coarse
sandstone shows that the sandstone is poorly sorted
negatively skewed leptokurtic and unimodal to slightly
bimodal in some locations.
The ichnofossils such as burrow fills, trails and preserved
leaf impressions are recognized (Fig. 8). The characteristic
reticulate venation pattern of some of the leaf impressions
suggests that they are typical dicot plant (Rao et al., 1981).
Plant fragments are found in the mudstone or claystone
interbedded with the sandstone. Bioturbation structures
are commonly found as ichnofossils (Ojo, 2009). Banerjee
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
(1979) recognized the presence of plant fragments in thinly
laminated shale and mudstones in Ajali sandstone at
Nkpologu southwest of Nsukka and these can be
correlated with those of the studied area in Nsukka
southeast.
The microscopic studies show that the dominant mineral is
medium grained quartz crystals with a small amount of
matrix and few opaque minerals probably iron oxide (Ojo
and Akande, 2009, Valkarelo and Bhattacharya, 2009;
Uchebo, 2010; Obaje et al., 2011; Omali et al., 2011;
Uzoegbu et al., 2013a). The matrix is made of silt-size
quartz and no feldspar is found (Plate). The modal analysis
of the framework elements shows; quartz (95%), matrix
(10%) and opaque (4%).
Monocrystalline quartz = 95%
Polcrystalline quartz = 5%
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 118

Table 4: Percentile values for grain size analysis.

Sample locations 5% 16% 25% 50% 75% 84% 95%
L1 (M) 0.1 2 2.4 2.85 3.15 3.6
L1 (B) 1.95 2.15 2.25 2.45 2.7 2.95 3.6
L2 (M) -0.3 1.9 2.35 2.95 3.4 3.55 3.75
L2 (B) -0.9 0.1 2.2 2.85 3.2 3.65
L3 (T) -0.2 2 2.2 2.5 3.1 3.3 3.7
L3(M) -0.6 1.9 2.2 2.5 3.1 3.3 3.7
L3 (B) 1 2 2.15 2.4 2.6 2.7 3.2
L4 (T) 1.95 2.15 2.25 2.55 2.95 3.25 3.65
L4 (B) 0.5 2.05 2.2 2.5 2.9 3.2 3.7
L5 (T) -0.8 2.6 3.35 3.55 3.8
L5 (B) -0.6 0.9 1.9 2.95 3.4 3.55 3.8

Age FM THICK LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

NESS (m)

Thinly laminated very fine

sandstone friable white on
some beds and reddish in some
4.0 units due to ferruginization.

Well foliated friable bed with

1.5 reddish to pinkish colouration.

Pinkish friable cross bedded

1.0 strata.
AJALI SANDSTONE
MAASTRICHTIAN

Friable and brownish well bedded

1.3 unit.

1.0 Highly burrowed and cross

bedded unit.

Friable and ferruginized well

2.3 Bedded unit.

Reddish friable cross bedded

1.0 unit.

Friable brownish fine

1.5 grained bed.

Fig. 8: Lithologic profile of Ajali Sandstone.

The grains are equant to subequant and are predominantly
subangular to subrounded (Table 4). Many large
polycrystalline quartz grains have been found to break
along individual grain boundaries, indicating a textural
inversion (Hoque and Ezepue, 1977). They therefore
concluded that significant portion of the finer sand and silt
fraction could come from fragmentation of large
polycrystalline quartz in a dynamic environment.
Cross bedding is the dominant sedimentary structure of
the formation. It is associated with reactivation surfaces,
mud drapes, tidal bundles, backflow ripple channels cut

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.

Uzoegbu and Okon 119

Table 5: Calculated values for grain size parameters for Ajali sandstones.
Sample locations Graphic mean Standard deviation Skewness Kurtosis
L1 (M) 1.88 1.31 -0.42
(Medium grain) (Poorly sorted) (Very coarse skewed) 1.74 (Very leptokurtic)
L1 (B) 2.52 (Fine grain) 0.45 (Well sorted) 0.32 (Very fine skewed) 1.50 (Leptokurtic)
L2 (M) 2.8 (Fine grain) 1.03 (poorly sorted) -0.44 (Very coarse skewed) 1.58 (Very Leptokurtic)
L2 (B) 1.5 (medium grain) 1.58 (poorly sorted) -0.36 (Very coarse skewed) 0.54 (Very platykurtic)
L3 (T) 2.6 (Fine grain) 0.92 (Moderately sorted) -0.08 (near symmetrical) 1.78 (Very Leptokurtic)
L3(M) 2.57 (Fine grain) 1.00 (Moderately sorted) -0.15 (Coarse skewed) 1.96 (Very Leptokurtic)
L3 (B) 2.37 (Fine grain) 0.51 (Moderately well sorted) -0.21 (Coarse skewed) 2.00 (Very Leptokurtic)
L4 (T) 2.65 (Fine grain) 0.53 (Moderately well sorted) 0.28 (Fine skewed) 1.0 (Mesokurtic)
L4 (B) 2.58 (Fine grain) 0.77 (Moderately sorted) -0.02 (Near symmetrical) 1.87 (Very Leptokurtic)
L5 (T) 2.05 (Fine grain) 1.46 (Poorly sorted) -0.42 (Very coarse skewed) 0.38 (Very platykurtic)
L5 (B) 2.47 (Fine grain) 1.33 (Poorly sorted) -0.58 (Very coarse skewed) 1.20 Leptokurtic)

and fills, lateral accretion surfaces, as well as Skolithos

and Ophiomorpha ichnogenera (Ladipo et al., 1992).
These structures characterized the formation over the
entire basin, and suggest tidal origin within a shallow
marine environment. Paleocurrent trends across the basin
suggest a depositional environment similar to the southern
part of the North Sea, which is characterized by helicoidal
tidal currents and dominated by large-scale sand waves
(Dike, 1976a).

In the studied area Ajali is characterized by presence of

fine to medium grained sandstone, small scale cross-beds,
leaf impressions, burrow-fills and absence of calcareous
Fig. 9a: Grain Size curves for the Ajali sandstone samples
and carbonaceous matters. These suggest a continental
from Milikin Hills (Location 1 and 2). M- middle of
environment or fluviatile environment. Grove (1951),
exposure; B bottom of exposure.
Reyment (1965) suggest that Ajali was deposited in a
continental environment. Hoque and Ezepue (1977) gave
a detailed account of petrology of Ajali sandstones and
confirmed the earlier views as regards its depositional
environment viz continental (fluvio-deltaic).

Based on the uniqueness of the Ajali Sandstones more

detailed analytical work was done on sieve results base on
Fork and Ward (1957) model ogive curves plotted for Figs.
8 and 9a-c. The field photos are cited on Plates. Table 4
shows the percentile values for grain size analysis. The
results of the various parameters including mean grain
size, sorting, kurtosis and skewness are presented in
Table 5. The result from the statistical data on grain size
distribution was used for bivariate plot which was used to Fig. 9b: Grain Size curves for Ajali sandstone samples
deduce the depositional environment of the sediments from Milikin Hills (Location 3). T top of exposure; M-
(Figs. 10-11). middle of exposure; B bottom of exposure.

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.


Fig. 9c: Grain Size curves for Ajali sandstone samples
from Miliken Hill (Location 4 and 5). T top of exposure; B
bottom of exposure.
Fig. 10a: A graphical plot of individual sample weight
retained (%) versus particle size (L1, L2
and L3).
Fig. 10b: A graphical plot of individual sample weight
retained (%) versus particle size (L3, L4 and L5).
The histogram plot for the individual sample weights from
the study area reveals a unimodal frequency distribution
for the soils. Only sample location 5 (Top) reveals a
bimodal distribution pattern (Figs. 10a-b).
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
Int. J. Geol. Min. 120
According to Folk (1980), the best graphic measure for
determining overall size of sediment is the Graphic Mean.
The graphic mean values (Mz) were used for the
classification of sediments in the study area as it describes
the average grain size of the sediments. According to Folk
& Ward (1957), the various classes of graphic mean are
as follows; Boulder (-12 to -8 phi), Cobble (-8 to -6),
Pebble (-6 to -2 ), Granular (-2 to -1 ), Very coarse
grained (-1 to 0.0 ), Coarse grained (0.0 to 1.0 ),
Medium grained (1.0 to 2.0 ), Fine grained (2.0 to
3.0), Very fine grained (3.0 to 4.0), Coarse silt (4.0 to
5.0), Medium silt (5.0 to 6.0), Fine silt (6.0 to 7.0), Very
fine silt (7.0 to 8.0) and Clay (8.0 and smaller). In the
study area, graphic mean ranges from 1.5 2.8 (Table
5). The lowest graphic mean value is obtained from sample
L2 (B), while the peak value of graphic mean is associated
with sample L2 (T). Mean graphic mean value is 2.36
(fine grained). The result of the graphic mean as shown in
Table 5 reveals that all the samples are fine to medium
grained sediments. The result suggests deposition in a
dominantly low energy environment (Folk, 1974; Eisema,
1981).
The standard deviation is the spread of the grain size
distribution with respect to the mean. Sorting is the most
useful grain size data parameter since it gives an indication
of the effectiveness of the depositional medium in
separating grains of different classes. According to Folk &
Ward (1957), the various classes of sorting are as follows;
< 0.35 (Very well sorted), 0.35 to 0.5 (Well sorted),
0.50 to 0.71 (Moderately well sorted), 0.71 to 1.0
(Moderately sorted), 1.0 to 2.0 (Poorly sorted), 2.0 to
4.0 (Very poorly sorted) and > 4.0 (Extremely poorly
sorted). For this study, the calculated values indicated a
sorting values range from 0.45 to 1.58 , mean of 0.99
and defined poorly sorted to moderately sorted, with only
one sample at L1B (0.45) characterizing well sorted
sandstones (Table 5).
According to Friedman (1961), the various ranges of
sorting in sands indicate the various environments of
deposition of the sand and results from this analysis depict
a fluvial (river) and shallow marine shelf environment
(Table 5). These results are consistent with studies of
Adekoya et al. (2011) on sedimentological characteristics
of Ajali sandstone in the Benin flank of Anambra basin and
reported deposition in shallow marine (littoral) environment
as indicated by the shale facie as well as in fluvial
environments as indicated in the attributes of the overlying
tabular and ferruginous upper sandstone facies.
This is a reflection of the depositional process. It is simply
a measure of the symmetry of the distribution. Skewness
is useful in environmental diagnosis because it is directly
related to the fine and coarse tails of the size distribution,
and hence suggestive of energy of deposition. According
to Folk & Ward (1957), the various classes of skewness
are as follows; 1.0 to 0.3 (Very fine skewed), 0.3 to
Uzoegbu and Okon 121

0.1 (Fine skewed), 0.1 to -0.1 (Near symmetrical),

-0.1 to -0.3 (Coarse-skewed) and -0.3 to -1.0 (Very
coarse skewed). The skewness values of the samples
from the study area ranges from -0.58 to 0.32 and mean
of -2.06 (Table5), thus indicating the presence of coarse
skewed near symmetrical to fine skewed in the population
of particles. The dominance of negative values indicating
skewness towards the coarser grain sizes, hence,
suggesting that the coarse admixture dominates and
therefore exceeds the fine components. Coarse skewed to
strongly coarse skewed are indicative of low energy
environments (Table 5).

This is a measure of the peakedness of the curves towards

the coarser grain sizes. According to Folk & Ward (1957),
Fig. 12: Scatter plot of sorting versus graphic mean
the various classes of kurtosis are as follows; < 0.67
(modified after Folk, 1974).
(Very Platykurtic), 0.67 to 0.90 (Platykurtic), 0.90 to
1.11 (Mesokurtic), 1.11 to 1.50 (Leptokurtic),
Table 7: Multivariate results of Ajali Sandstone from the
1.50 to 3.00 (Very leptokurtic), and > 3.00 (Extremely
study area.
leptokurtic). In numerical terms, the range of kurtosis in the
area is between 0.28 and 2, and mean of 1.41 (Table 5). Sample
If the tails are better sorted than the central portions, then locations Results Interpretation
it is termed as platykurtic, whereas leptokurtic, if the central
L1 (M) -6.25 Shallow marine
portion is better sorted. The samples analyzed shows a
dominance of leptokurtic (9 samples) followed by L1 (B) -9.69 Fluvial
Platykurtic (1 sample) and mesokurtic (1 sample). The L2 (M) -5.89 Shallow marine
results suggest a generally better sorting at the central
portion. This strongly suggests a fluvial environment, L2 (B) -6.60 Shallow marine
confirming that the sands are river deposited (Adeyode et L3 (T) -7.73 Fluvial
al., 2011). L3(M) -7.39 Shallow marine
Plots of mean grain size (Mz) against standard deviation L3 (B) -7.17 Shallow marine
(D) were plotted for Ajali Sandstones at Miliken Hills using L4 (T) -9.44 Fluvial
the methods of Miola and Weiser, (1968); and Folk, (1974). L4 (B) -8.03 Fluvial
The results of mean grain size against sorting after Miola
and Weiser, (1968), shows that deposition occurs in the L5 (T) -6.16 Shallow marine
fluvial field (Fig. 10). The plot of mean grain size against L5 (B) -5.27 Shallow marine
sorting (Folk, 1974) show that deposition was in a fluvial
environment with minor tidal influence (Fig. 11). The result The result of petrographic analysis for the Ajali sandstones
of multivariate analysis shows that Ajali Sandstones were exposed at Milikin Hills is displayed in Table 8. The result
deposited in a fluvial environment with shallow marine reveals the presence of quartz, plagioclase, orthoclase
incursions (Table 7). feldspar and iron oxide as the only opaque mineral. The
quarts are fine grained and together with the iron oxides,
they constitute the cement.

Microscopic studies show that the dominant mineral is fine

Fig. 11: Bivariate plot of Mean against Sorting for Ajali
sandstone exposed at Milikin Hills (After Miola and Weiser,
1968).
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
grained quartz and Orthoclase feldspar crystals with a
small amount of clay matrix and few opaque minerals
probably iron oxide. The cement is made of fine grained
quartz and iron oxide. The grains of the sandstone range
from angular to subangular. They are mostly
monocrystalline quartz although some are polycrystalline.
Most of the grains are not in contact but a few show
straight, concavo-convex and sutured contacts.
Cementing materials are mainly silica in form of authigenic
quartz and iron-oxide coatings. The modal analysis of
framework element shows an average of monocrystalline
 Int. J. Geol. Min. 122

Table 8: Mineralogical Composition of the Ajali Sandstones from Thin Section.

Quartz (%) Feldspar (%) OTHERS
Sample locations MQ PQ TQ KF PF TF CLAY IRON
L1 (M) 40 5 45 30 8 38 2 15
L1 (B) 30 - 30 35 15 50 - 20
L2 (M) 37 10 47 25 15 37 - 16
L2 (B) 32 5 37 25 15 40 5 18
L3 (T) 22 8 30 30 17 47 3 20
L3(M) 30 20 50 20 15 35 - 15
L3 (B) 20 16 26 30 15 45 5 14
L4 (T) 50 5 55 20 15 35 2 8
L4 (B) 40 - 40 30 13 38 5 10
L5 (T) 30 10 40 25 19 44 7 9
L5 (B) 28 5 33 15 30 45 10 12
Average 32.64 9.33 39.36 25.91 16.09 41.27 4.88 14.27
Note: MQ - Monocrystalline Quartz; PQ - Polycrystalline Quartz; TQ Total Quartz; KF - Potassium Feldspar; PF - Plagioclase Feldspar;
TF - Total Feldspar.

quartz (32.56%), polycrystalline quartz (9.33%), plagioclase
(16.09%), potassium feldspar (25.91%), clay matrix (4.88%)
and opaque (14.27%).
Due to the dominance of monocrystalline quartz and
feldspars (Plagioclase and orthoclase), the sandstones
are sub-feldspathic arenites. Quartz is colourless under
plane polarized light, but white to dull white in colour under
crossed nicols. Plagioclase is gray and orthoclase is pink
to brownish colour. Iron oxide is generally dark under
crossed polarized light (Plate).
The source rock quality of the coals and shales in the three
boreholes is confirmed by the pyrolysis-derived generative
potential (S1+S2) of selected samples (Table 9).
The hydrocarbon generative potential of boreholes
NKP01, NKP02 and NKP03 ranges from 1.81-295.28 mg/g
rock, 2.56-332.22 mg/g rock and 0.05-34.84 mg/g rock
respectively. Hydrogen index (HI) values for the studied
samples ranges from 60 to 527 mgHC/g TOC for borehole-
NKP01, 59 to 755 mgHC/g TOC and 40 to 444 mgHC/g
TOC for boreholes NKP02 and NKP03 respectively. These
values indicate a moderately good source rock with gas
and oil generating potential (> 2 mg/g; (Tissot and Welte,
1984).

The type of organic matter in sediments penetrated by the

Plate: Photomicrograph of sandstones exposed at
Location 1. O Orthoclase feldspar; Q Quartz; P
Plagioclase feldspar; F Iron oxide (image on Left =
Location 1 middle; Right = Location 1 bottom).
Organic Geochemistry
The TOC content for the lithostratigraphic of the boreholes
NKP01, NKP02 and NKP03ranges from 1.25 to 55.07 wt.
% (mean 8.87 wt. %), 0.22 to 51.42 wt. % (mean 12.90 wt.
%) and 0.07to 7.47 wt. % (mean 2.00 wt. %) respectively
(Table 9). These TOC values show that the sediments
have comparable average TOC contents, which are
greater than the 0.5 wt. % threshold value required for a
potential source rock to generate hydrocarbons (Tissot
and Welte, 1984). There is no clear trend for the TOC-
values with depth.
three boreholes (NKP01, NKP02 and NKP03) was
assessed by Rock-Eval pyrolysis (Table 9). Most of the
studied rock units from the three wells are mainly of type
III with subordinate type II-III. The plots Rock-Eval S2
versus TOC (Fig. 13) are useful to compare the petroleum-
generative potential of source rocks (Langford and Blanc-
Valleron,1990; Peters, 1986). The slopes of lines radiating
from the origin in Figure 14 are directly related to hydrogen
index (HI). Hydrogen index values of greater than 600,
300-600, 200-300, 50-200 and less than 50 mg HC/g TOC
classifies organic matter as type I (very oil prone), type II
(oil prone), type III (gas prone) and type IV (inert)
respectively (Peters, 1986). The relationship between the
hydrogen indexes (HI) versus oxygen index (OI) (Fig. 14),
reveals kerogen of type III and mixed type II-III organic
matter which are predominantly gas prone. Plots of HI
versus Tmax (the maximum temperature of pyrolysis) (Fig.
15) and HI versus %Ro (Fig. 16), also shows that the
organic matter in the samples is mainly type III with
subordinate type II/III.
The below results are in agreement with the data obtained
by earlier workers Akaegbobi and Schmitt, 1998; Akande
et al., 2007; Shanmugam, 1985).

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.

Uzoegbu and Okon 123

350.00
Type I Type II
Oil Prone Oil Prone
300.00 Lacustrine Marine

250.00
HI (mgHCg-1rock)

NKP01 Mixed Type II/III

Oil /Gas Prone
200.00 NKP02
NKP03
150.00

Type III
S2

100.00 Gas Prone

50.00 Dry
Gas Prone

0.00
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
TOC (wt%)
Fig. 13: Plots of Rock-Eval S2 versus TOC Fig.14: Plot of HI versus OI for the coal and shale units from
(Langford and Blanc-Valleron,1990). the Campano-Maastrichtian Formations

Fig. 15: Plot of HI versus Tmax for characterizationof the Fig. 16: Plot of HI versus %Ro.
organic matter for boreholes NKP01, NKP02 and
NKP03 from the Campano-Maastrichtian Formations.

Thermal maturity provides an indication of the maximum
paleotemperature reached by a source rock. The thermal
maturity of the shales and coals of the Anambra Basin
have been discussed by several authors (Akaegbobi and
Schmitt, 1998; Akaegbobi, et al., 2000; Unomah and
Ekweozor,1993). The degree of thermal maturity of the
shales and coals of the Maastrichtian Mamu Formation
was assessed by pyrolysis-derived indices, such as Rock-
Eval Tmax, production index and %Ro (Table 9).
According to Peters (1986), PI and Tmax values less than
about 0.1 and 435oC, respectively, indicate immature
organic matter while Tmax greater than 470oC points to the
wet-gas zone. The Tmax values of the coal and shale
samples in NKP01, NKP02, and NKP03 ranges from 424
to 441oC (mean 435oC), 432 to 441oC (mean 437oC) and
338 to 4437oC (mean 405oC) respectively. The %Ro
values range between 0.47 to 0.78 (NKP01), 0.62 to 0.78
(NKP02) and 0.49 to 1.00 (NKP03). Both values indicate
that the samples are thermally immature to marginally
mature with respect to petroleum generation. Plots of PI
versus Tmax (Fig. 17), PI versus %Ro (Fig. 18) also show
that the coal and shale sediments are partly within the oil
window.
The production index (PI) values > 0.1 (Table 9) observed
on few samples indicate possible impregnation, migration
oil or contamination by mud additives (Clementz, 1979).
Other samples with PI-values ranging from 0.02 to 0.06
show an expected result and free from any additives.

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.


Table 9: TOC and Rock-Eval pyrolysis results of the studied samples.
Fig. 17: Plot of PI againstTmax of the studied rock samples
from the Campano-Maastrichtian Formations
CONCLUSION
The sedimentological evaluations show that the basal
parts of the Ajali Sandstones were deposited under fluvial
environments characterized by debris flow, mass flow and
bed-load deposits, while the middle and upper parts were
characterized by fluvial channel environments. The basal
Mamu and Nsukka Formations are characterized by flood
plain deposits, the middle portion correspond to shallow
Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.
Int. J. Geol. Min. 124
Fig. 18: Plot of PI versus%Ro.
marine deposits while the upper portions are interpreted
as fluvial channel facies. Marine influences in the Nkporo/
Enugu Shales persisted into the lower Mamu Formation
with the remaining upper portions indicating flood-plain
deposits of fluvial origin.
The geochemical investigations show that potential source
rocks in the Anambra Basin are oil, oil/gas, and gas
prones. Potential reservoir units occur in the fluvial
Uzoegbu and Okon 125
sandstones of the Ajali Formation and in the marginal
marine and flood plain sandstones of the Mamu
Formation. The shales and claystones of the Nsukka and
Imo Formations may provide regional seals. Different trap
configurations are possible in the basin, ranging from traps
within uplifted blocks, traps in drapes and/or compacted
structures over deep horst to stratigraphic traps along
flanks of uplifted blocks.
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Uzoegbu and Okon 127

Accepted 28 August, 2017

Citation: Uzoegbu MU and Okon OS (2017).

Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-
Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin,
Nigeria..International Journal Geology and Mining 3(2):
110-127.

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Sedimentology and Geochemical Evaluation of Campano-Maastrichtian Sediments, Anambra Basin, Nigeria.